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* SUBJECT: I Summarising of Tape Recorded Interviews
The purpose of this
requirements for summarising taped recorded interviews. As a result of
discussions with Legal & Compliance Team, it has been agreed that there is no
longer a requirement to prepare, as previously required as part of the summary, a
verbatim preamble from start of interview up to the stage that a Post Office®
friend is offered. Accordingly, from the date of this circular it will be acceptable to
prepare an abridged preamble along the lines of the following:
Record of Tape
Recorded Interview
Person Interviewed
Place of Interview
Date of Interview 01% July 2***
Time commenced 1026 Time concluded 12.33
Duration of interview 1hr 40mins Tape reference no 053436, 053437 &
053438
Interviewing Officer(s) David JONES (DJ) Graham Peters (GP)
Other persons present
Security Operations Team
circular is to advise Security Managers to changes in the
Exhibit No:
Number of pages:
Signature of interviewing
officer producing exhibit
Tape Person
counter speaking Text
times
0010 Usual introductions made, caution administered and explained. Forms
The exception to this abridged style will be summaries prepared by new recruits, or
Security Managers considered to require development to which the additional
check-step of a verbatim preamble is considered necessary by the Security Team
Leader. Such requirements will be indicated by your Team Leader.
POLO01 & POLOO3 completed. clines the presence of a Post
Office® friend or solicitor.
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Security Operations Team
Irrespective of the style of preamble, then the summary itself must cover:
e Verbatim, all admissions relating to the offence or offences under investigation
and the questions and answers leading up to them along with the tape counter
time(s). These will include ambiguous admissions (e.g. one of the main elements
of the offence may be missing - “I borrowed the money but would have put it
back”) and qualified admissions (e.g. raising a potential defence - “I borrowed
the money as my Branch Manager said I could”).
e When any admission is made to an offence which is not the immediate subject
of investigation but which might be taken into consideration, the tape counter
time(s) should be noted and a brief description given in the record of interview.
The summary should contain sufficient information to enable Legal &
Compliance Team to formulate charges that adequately reflect the gravity of the
offender's conduct and how the case might best be presented in court.
e Main salient points must be recorded verbatim. These will include statements or
questions about intent, dishonesty or possible defence, as well as matters such
as knowledge of key facts, any description of duties/procedures or assertion that
others were involved.
e The issue of whether a prosecution will follow should not normally be discussed
in the context of an interview but, if it is, it must be recorded verbatim.
It is essential that all legal and business formalities remain adhered to and that the
full explanation of the caution continues to be offered. Periodic checks will be
conducted on submitted enquiries to ensure ongoing conformance.
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